Sustainable Development and Rapid Climate Change has always been given proper consideration in High level meetings, conferences and youth forums. As a part of youth delegation, I got a chance to contribute in the recommendations.

Recommendations for Action as per ‘Colombo Declaration on Youth’ – 10th May 2014

1. We the youth delegates of the ‘UN World Conference on Youth 2014’:

2. Recognize that climate change is closely linked to development issues, and thereby understand intergenerational equity is crucial, as well as the recognition of the importance of engaging the young generations in the climate discussions, keeping in mind the special needs of young people in developing countries, especially in Least Developing Countries, Land-Locked Developing Countries, Small Island Developing States.

3. Request the United Nations system and states to explore and address the effects of urbanization, climate change, disasters and environmental degradation on young people.

4. Call on Member States to further explore the proposed High Commissioner for Future Generations as well as other relevant mechanisms on the topic as outlined in the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations entitled ‘Intergenerational Solidarity and the need for Future Generations’.

5. Support the Chair’s summary of the 2013 Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction calling for a youth and children’ forum.

6. Improve strategies to prevent and mitigate the risks of disasters to include youth, ensuring youth participation in the development and monitoring of plans and indicators to reduce community risks and resilience guidelines.

7. Call upon relevant authorities to promote youth friendly cities to further youth engagement in implementing the Post-2015 Development Agenda and to strengthen positive socio-economic links between cities and rural areas.

8. Integrate disaster risk reduction education at all levels of the school curriculum.

9. Call for the inclusion of safer schools and hospitals in the Post-2015 commitments.

10. Promoting long term sustainable urban planning that takes into account population growth, natural resource utilization, eco-system preservation, public space accessibility, efficient transport and waste management improves living conditions and prioritizes the rights and needs of the slum dwellers and informal settlers we call governments to include youth in the process of formulating the new UN-Habitat agenda.

11. Taking note of the fifth assessment reports of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its findings that indicate the urgent need to reduce absolute levels of carbon emissions to address climate change impacts.

12. Promote Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns by young people.